Eric Martin with support from Gráinne Duffy
Thursday 27th August 2015 – Voodoo, Belfast
After a brief hitch in touring plans last year, Eric Martin finally made his return to Belfast to play a solo acoustic show in Voodoo. The return was obviously eagerly awaited as evidenced by the size of the crowd, many with their Mr.Big, Avantasia and solo records in hand in the hope of having them signed, some travelling from as far as Korea and Japan.
Before the main event however, it was Gráinne Duffy’s time to take to the stage with guitarist Paul Sherry. While this was stripped down set of Sherry playing acoustic guitar and Duffy singing, she soon had the audience captivated and through her next two songs “Drive Me Crazy” and “Each And Every Time”, her trademark blues style saw the crowd grow considerably in size. Obviously not without her own fans, she took time to thank some fans who had travelled from Scotland to see her. Her following songs “Love Me Like A Man” and “Bad To Worse” really took things up a gear with the audience clapping and enthusiastically responding to calls from Duffy for some crowd participation. The set was concluded first with the country-infused blues sound of “Shape I’m In” and finally with the slow blues of “Waiting For You,” the crowd cheering in appreciation. If the purpose of the support act is to warm up the crowd for the headline act, and gain some new fans along the way, then Gráinne Duffy did exactly that.
After a short break, the man himself, Eric Martin, took to the stage. Billed as “the voice of Mr.Big” his setlist reflects that; an hour and a half of Mr.Big hits with some lesser known surprises, and solo material that showcase the unique voice that gave Mr.Big one of its most defining aspects. Songs featured early in the set included upbeat hits from the Mr.Big back catalogue like “Rose Alone” and their classic cover of Cat Steven’s “Wild World” gaining the first big singalong of the night.
He is joined onstage for some of the songs by a local guitarist, Declan McKerr, obviously chosen for his virtuosic ability, accompanying Martin in the rhythm sections and pulling off solos that can only be admired, given that they are usually performed by Paul Gilbert! Declan leaves the stage for Eric to continue into the cheery “Superfantastic.” The room had warmed up in more ways than just their support, as Eric commented on a few times throughout the show, “It’s like when we played in my mom’s basement. You need to get air conditioning in here! I’ll never play here again! But at least you’ll get air conditioning…”.
The set then slowed for a moment with “Goin Where The Wind Blows”, one of the most heartfelt performances of the night, the crowd singing along with him, followed by a personal favourite, “Just Take My Heart.” There was a nice surprise of some solo material in the form of “Kansas” – “I’m not in Kansas anymore, I’m in Belfast,” with Eric joking afterward that it’s a song that nobody knows but he likes to sing anyway. Welcoming Declan back and guitarist Tasha Doone for Mr.Big mega-hit “To Be With You” they get a huge sing-along, and great cheer for Tasha’s solo. Taking things up another notch, they launch into a fast paced rendition of “Daddy Brother Lover Little Boy” leading perfectly into another highlight and live favourite, “Alive And Kicking,” arguably as good here as the original version. Eric obviously feels the energy from the crowd remarking, “you’re bringing my mojo back!” There’s just time for him to congratulate a photographer, Caroline, on her marriage the following day, before a surprising cover of Robert Johnson’s “Crossroads.” Next up was “Just Let Your Heart Decide,” a song that Eric had never performed live before (as he looks at his phone for the lyrics) a song so sad as he tells one audience member “you’re going to cry right into your beard.” We are then treated to a short sing-along of the chorus of “Green Tinted Sixties Mind” which the crowd obviously appreciated, Eric admitting that he can’t play that one on his own.
The show ended on a high with the bluesy rock of “Dancing With My Devils.” The night wasn’t over however for Eric who stayed behind to chat with fans, sign records, and pose for photos (I was one of them, guilty), but he seemed to relish the attention. As far as entertainers go, he really is one of the best, his interaction with the crowd had everyone laughing throughout the show. To see such a great performance from one of rock’s best frontmen again in such an intimate setting really is a treat and a privilege and anyone who witnesses an Eric Martin show will no doubt remember it for a very long time. And with assurances that he will be back again with Mr.Big, it will hopefully not be too long before we see him do it all over again.
